Engkwentro: Quarrels of the young and old

Karen Davila looks into the violent fight between two relatives following their children’s squabble.

Irene Nismal and her niece Haydi Lacsina quarreled after their children had a misunderstanding.

Irene Nismal and Haydi Lacsina fight after their children have a disagreement.

Irene’s daughter claimed that Haydi’s son hit her head against the wall and called her “smelly” after she refused to let him play with her and her playmates.

Instead of resolving the kids’ misunderstanding and discussing the matter in a civilized manner, the two women turned against each other and argued over how their kids should be disciplined.

Irene wanted Haydi to discipline her son through corporal punishment. But Haydi refused to to strike her son because she believed the child when he told her that he did not hit Irene’s daughter.

As their arguments become heated, their conflict turned personal. They called each other names and rudely commented about each other's private lives. Both parents became increasingly childish, finally resulting into a catfight.

Confrontation

Irene Nismal in front of the Lupon ng Barangay

Haydi Lacsina

Months after their encounter, Irene and Haydi’s squabble had yet to die down. Virginia Gabunton, the barangay captain, tried to settle their dispute but failed even after several attempts.

Failing to resolve the argument, the captain decided to pass the case to the Lupon ng Barangay.

But after their meeting with the Lupon, the two women again got into a brawl, making matters worse.

Both women refused to back down, and there seems to be no end in sight to their dispute, as of this program's airing.

What started out as a simple quarrel of the young ended up as a severe dispute of the old—those who were supposedly wise enough to resolve conflict did not fulfill their responsibility to serve as an example to their children.